An attorney was disbarred in Georgia Tuesday after the state’s high court determined that she wrongfully took thousands of dollars from a debt-collection action for herself.
The Georgia Supreme Court found that disbarment was appropriate for Dana Nicole Jackson for purported misconduct related to the representation of a client who sought help with collecting a debt. Jackson allegedly collected at least $3,750 from debtors but failed to forward any of the money to the clients.
The state bar filed a complaint against Jackson in 2021, alleging that she had violated Rules 1.4 and 1.15 (I) (c) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct. Rule 1.4 requires an attorney to reasonably consult with the client about the means to accomplish objections, while Rule 1.15 requires a prompt notification of receipt of client funds, according to the ruling.
Jackson didn’t participate in the bar investigation, and the special master granted the bar’s request for default. The special master further found it was undisputed that Jackson failed to deliver the funds and failed to communicate with the clients about the case.
The Georgia Supreme Court found that neither Jackson nor the bar filed exceptions to the special master’s report, and agreed that disbarment was necessary “particularly in light of the fact that Jackson admitted to the Rules violations by virtue of her default and offered no mitigating explanation for her behavior.”
Representatives for Jackson didn’t immediately return Bloomberg Law’s call for comment on Tuesday.
The case is In the matter of Jackson, Ga., No. S23Y0451, 3/7/23.
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